Canon RF 10-20mm f/4 L IS STM Lens

Canon RF 10-20mm f/4 L IS STM Lens Summary

With an ultra wide angle zoom range, portable design and superb image quality, the Canon RF 10-20mm f/4 L IS STM Lens is designed primarily for landscape, architecture, interiors and filmmaking. It joins the range of Canon mirrorless lenses with premium L-series characteristics, which are combined with a lightweight design weighing 570g for excellent portability in the field.

Canon has developed this compact zoom to provide confident autofocus, delivered by a stepping motor, which is available for the first time on an L-series lens. STM technology is optimised for linear focusing, which is ideal for both photography and video recording, as it is able to deliver smooth AF in near silence.

Along with competent AF, the RF 10-20mm f/4L includes a peripheral control image stabiliser capable of reducing camera shake by 5-stops, which rises to 6-stops with an IBIS-equipped EOS R mirrorless camera. Many Canon bodies offer this capability, from high-end models like the R3 and R5, through mid-range hybrid cameras such as the R6 mark II, as well as the APS-C format R7 and beyond.

An advanced optical formula is responsible for rendering high image quality with razor sharp results, which is achieved by a combination of UD and Super UD glass. This is complemented by a rectilinear optical design to keep lines straight right across the frame, which is especially useful for architectural and interior photography.

Additionally the Canon RF 10-20mm f/4 L IS STM Lens benefits from full-time manual focusing for pinpoint accuracy, a rear gel filter holder, and a customisable control ring and custom button for efficient workflows.

Key Canon RF 10-20mm Lens Features

• Ultra wide zoom with a rectilinear design that maintains straight lines
• 5-stop image stabiliser, rising to 6-stops when combined with camera IBIS
• New STM autofocus for the first time in an L-series lens
• Razor sharp results from advanced optics
• Lens coatings minimise ghosting and flare
• Full-time manual focus override
• Constant f/4 aperture throughout the zoom range
• Dust and moisture resistant design
• Rear gel filter holder
• Customisable button and control ring
• Weighs just 570g
• Read more in our Canon RF 10-20mm lens review

Canon RF 10-20mm f/4 L IS STM Lens in More Detail

Ultra wide angle zoom lens for EOS R

With a zoom range of 10-20mm this is wider than the comparable RF 15-35mm F/2.8L IS USM and RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM Lens, enabling you to expand your view and get more into each frame. This can help you add dramatic perspectives to anything from epic scenery and sweeping vistas, to cityscapes, buildings, interiors and for movies.

Sample interior shot with the R5 and RF 10-20mm lens @14mm. Camera settings: 1/200 sec. f/4.5. ISO 3200

Image stabiliser

Canon is renowned for designing equipment which allows you to shoot handheld in low light and the RF 10-20mm lens continues this through 6-stops of combined image stabilisation, or 5-stops when shooting with a non-IBIS camera body.

The lightweight 570g design supports handholding too, with a compact size which is easy to walk with while recording video, or snap stills as you explore locations. In fact the RF 10-20mm f/4L IS STM Lens is 610g lighter and 2cm smaller that the equivalent EF 11-24mm F/4L USM DSLR lens, and includes IS, which is testament to the benefits of the RF mount.

Sample image beach boardwalk with the R5 and RF 10-20mm lens @20mm. Camera settings: 1/200 sec. f/. ISO 320

Rectilinear optics

Rectilinear optics help to keep straight lines straight right across the frame when shooting subjects such as architecture and interiors. This will appeal to photographers who want to reduce editing time and maintain high image quality into the corners without cropping or losing resolution.

STM autofocus

Canon has introduced their efficient STM (stepping motor) technology for the first time in a mirrorless L-series lens. The new STM design features a position sensor for faster start-up times, and delivers near-silent AF with high-speed accuracy for stills, and smooth transitions for video.

The STM addition is made possible by the optical design, which includes a lightweight focus group.

Sample image - Across the river with the R5 and RF 10-20mm lens @20mm. Camera settings: 1/200 sec. f/. ISO 250

Superb image quality

Subjects for which the RF 10-20mm lens is suited demand high image quality and more often than not are captured using high resolution camera sensors. To meet these demands Canon has utilised 3 glass moulded aspherical lens elements (GMo), as well as 3 UD (ultra low dispersion) and 1 Super UD glass.

This combination of special elements renders high resolution with sharp details from the centre to the edges, as well as reducing chromatic aberrations throughout the zoom range. Colours are captured with vivid results showing minimal colour blurring or dispersion, while advanced lens coatings are used to minimise ghosting and flare, ensuring you come away with impeccable results in challenging lighting conditions.

Built for professional workflows

L-series lenses offer Canon’s highest build quality and the RF 10-20mm f/4 L IS STM is designed to withstand the elements, as well as offering customisation to enhance your shooting experience. A function button and control ring can be customised for instinctive operation, and to support fieldwork the lens benefits from dust and moisture sealing.

Sample sunstar with the R5 and RF 10-20mm lens @20mm. Camera settings: 1/200 sec. f/. ISO 200

What’s in the box

• Canon RF 10-20mm f/4 L IS STM Lens
• Lens Dust Cap RF
• Lens Cap 10-20
• Lens Case LP 1219
• User Manual